Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ghost by Adri, Mr So-and-so by Adri, Maple leaves by Amy
We were able to make some delicious pumpkin seeds out of it too - cinnamon, spicy, and garlic flavored.

New England, I must say, is creepy in the evening. Ya know all those horror films, witchcraft, etc. Those all take place in New England in all these old neighborhoods with old houses. Ya, I don't do scary.

Lexington, Ma is probably my favorite place in Boston that I have yet discovered. The homes are magnificent and the fall colors are breathtaking. This is where I spent my Saturday and Sunday afternoon this weekend (10.16-17.10).

I convinced Justin Plant to come and play softball with me on the Battle Green in Lexington.

I know everyone mentions that they have the cutest niece in the world, but really, I have the cutest niece in the world: Avannie Ure. Lucky for me, I get to babysit every Tuesday while Kemp and Joseph go to mutual so we get some good one-on-one time. I did I mention that Avy LOVES me? You should see the excitement and huge hug she gives me when I come over.

What better place to have a picnic than the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA .... Ya know, the one that the "shot heard around the world" happened? Ya know, where the American Revolution started? Like the American Revolution. Ya, we picniced there.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A group of friends from the ward gathered last Saturday morning for a favorite New England activity - Apple Picking. You can find farms everywhere. This time we went to Shelburne Farm in Stow, MA where I picked a peck of apples. By the time we left the farm, I had my bag completely filled with Macintosh, Cortland, and Macoun apples, along with my pockets, and along with my belly (I ate 7 apples that morning)! And if that wasn't enough, we got cider and cider doughnuts from the little shop at the farm afterward.

It brought back lots of memories of home - picking apples from Uncle Elliot's trees, playing in the orchard, grandpa's garden, making grape juice with mom, leaves changing colors....

Apple number 5.... you have to taste them before you pick because you don't want to waste valuable space in your peck for gross apples! Ha!

The Apple Picking Gang
Me, Courtney Hohl, Sarah H, Ty Turley

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After picking apples we went to the Harvard Football game.... definitely different than Utah State football.

Crimson (their mascot - not much of one if you ask me) plays in a stadium that reminds me of the Colosseum in Rome.

Ty Turley and I sitting on the visitors side of the field - Cornell.
I was definitely more interested in the fans that come to watch Ivy League football then the game. You should have seen 'em - no hoopin' and hollorin', just politely clapping. Haha!

I closed the day with food! $175 worth. Yahoo, now I can go and make apple crisp, apple pie, apple turnovers, apple cider, and apple dumplings.

Friday, October 15, 2010

One major advantage of living in New England is being near many church historical sites. Lucky for us Sharon, VT, the birthplace of Joseph Smith, is only two hours away from Boston. And with conference being two hours long + two hours to get a good, long look at the monument + another two hour drive home + an iPhone that can stream anything from online = a PERFECT conference activity.

The best part about it...Adrienne, my non-member roommate, came along for the day. It was so great to have her there listening to conference and feeling the testimony of Joseph Smith and the restored gospel in Sharon, VT. It was Amazing-with a capital A.

The monument stands 38 1/2 ft, one foot for every year of Joseph Smith's life.

Judy Ou (LP2 Ward friend), Me, Adrienne Gren (my roommate)

Next door to the birthplace of JS is Camp Joseph. We stopped by and had a picnic and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors.

Way back to the main road from Camp Joseph.

Conference Tradition I was able to share with my roommates - CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES!
Every conference for the past 3 yrs I have been making these pancakes.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I love New England in the fall, but the weather and the bright colors remind me of home. And I am sad to say but I am feeling a bit homesick. When I called home a couple nights ago to receive some comfort, my mother says that she is feeling the same way, only this time it is babysick. She requested I post some pictures. So here's to you mum!

Lake Winnipesaukee - with Amanda Horrocks, Dad, and Bob Wiley (oops, I mean John the landlord)

Dad, John Huymans (my landlord who insisted on taking us around the island and out to dinner), Me, & Amanda

Riding in the back of John's going-out-to-dinner car. A white leather Cadillac.

"I'm sailing, I'm sailing!!"
Sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee - No, we did not have Bob tied to the mast but he was waiting at the dock when we came back in. :)

First Matee hostin' ye mail sail - arrrr.

Second Matee breakin' ye rule by smilin'

Cap'in Dad. Ey Ey Cap'in!

So Amanda and I got the same shirt on our last trip together in Jackson Hole, WY and we couldn't help but by the same sweatshirt while in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. Really now, who can break a great tradition like that?
And the sun was a lil bit bright, if you couldn't tell. :)
And notice the boat in the background, almost entirely in full view, with the navy blue sail cover. That was our boat, I mean ship - arrr.

John and Amy with a little gingerbread man from Yum Yum Bakery.

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Now this is a good story. Bob, I mean John, drove us around in his Cadillac for hours. He insisted on showing us all the great places around the Lake and all the famous people who live there- in private communities- with fences- and gates- and signs- and security systems- and guard dogs (ok, that last one was made up). But we still went. And this was John's justification for driving down these rich and famous private driveways "Oh, anyone can put up one of those signs."

We met up with KJA later that day. I had much to fun feeding Avy lemons.